ATLANTA — The City of Atlanta is hoping to put a stop to unruly events by amending one of its current ordinances.
City officials said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has introduced legislation to regulate "party houses." This would be an amendment to the 1982 Atlanta Zoning Ordinance.
The "party houses" are used for large-scale commercial events that can pose public safety and quality of life challenges to those who live in the area.
“The proposed regulations are common sense measures to ensure our neighborhoods are safe, friendly and livable for all who call Atlanta home,” said Mayor Bottoms. “This is about ensuring accountability for unlawful party and event planners who create nuisance and disorder in our communities.”
The proposed ordinance would define a party house as a residence used for the purposes of hosting a commercial event.
"For this definition, commercial event includes parties, ceremonies, receptions or similar large-scale gatherings where the attendees are charged entry to the event, or the structure and its curtilage otherwise functions as a commercial recreation facility," the news release reads.
“Party houses in residentially zoned areas are illegal and must end,” said District 8 Councilmember J.P. Matzigkeit. “This legislation is a critical piece to stopping party houses and preserving the quality of life for our neighborhoods.”
City officials said amending the ordinance would be an inclusive process. They plan on having neighborhood meetings and providing an opportunity for public input.
Matzigkeit sponsored the ordinance.
The proposal for the amendment comes after neighbors in north Atlanta complained about an alleged "party mansion" off Garmon Road that they claim is hosting multiple parties a week, bringing extra traffic and noise to the area.
11Alive asked the Atlanta Police Department if they were aware of the claims, who responded, saying, "we monitor the house for noise and parking issues and respond when there are complaints. But they usually use shuttles to limit people who park on the street. Otherwise, we find they are violating no laws for us to enforce."
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